Stonham Barns opens new Pokémon-inspired gaming shop, coinciding with new Ed Sheeran single 'Celestial'

One of Suffolk's largest holiday parks hopes to catch the Pokémon craze by opening a new business inspired by the game.

Gaming shop GG Trading Cards and Collectables opened in Stonham Barns, near Stowmarket, on September 30.

The business was founded by Kieran Singleton, 22, who has had a passion for Pokémon since he was a child.

It stocks games, gaming memorabilia and other collectables from some of the industry's most recognisable brands, including Lego, Star Wars and Harry Potter, and is open six days a week.

Its launch coincided with the release Ed Sheeran's latest single, 'Celestial', which details the singer's love of the Japanese franchise - which the holiday park said has spurred a revival of the brand.

Kieran worked at a toy shop for one of his first jobs, which inspired him to start his own.

The shop was a hobby that snowballed into a business, and he partnered with a friend and fellow collector to launch it.

He said: "The culture behind Pokémon Go is well-known. We have all seen fans walking the streets, searching for and catching Pokémon - and you can also play in the comfort of your own home.

"The fact that Ed Sheeran has featured Pokémon in his latest release means anything could happen with the cards and collectables."

Pokémon started in 1996 as a videogame series, followed by the launch of trading cards in 1998, and particularly rare cards can sometimes go for millions.

It also became an animated series, and iconic characters like Pikachu and Charizard found their way into mainstream pop culture.

The launch of the mobile game Pokémon Go in 2016 renewed interest in the franchise.

Kieran's shop stocks cards that sell from anywhere between 30 pence and £850.

Customers range from small children to people in their 50s and 60s.

Kieran sources much of the stock at the shop from gaming exhibitions and shows.

He added: "The quirkier the products the better. From a Poké Ball used for catching and storing Pokémon to Harry Potter’s Professor Snape figurine and the mainstay of the business, Pokémon trading cards.

"The kids from the past become the collectors of the future. It’s a thing that stays with you through life.

"Like Ed Sheeran says, you don’t grow out of some of the stuff that you grew up with. It helps to have something that interests you and it can become compulsive."

He works in the shop alongside his girlfriend, Terri Greaves.

The pair live in Harwich.

She said: ‘Kieran is such a collectables enthusiast - if anyone can grow this business, he can.

"He has spent so much time sourcing the products that he’s an expert on most of the collections. It is a pastime that never grows old.

Children and adults, alike, get so animated about the characters they can collect. It’s a real conversation starter.

"Who doesn’t want to talk about the fantasy and escapism of our childhoods? It’s something to cheer people up when they need it."